Chairman: Cllr Richard Jenkinson
Parish Clerk: Joanne Peters, Neutral Farm House, Mill Lane, Butley. IP12 3PA
Tel: 01394 459400, E-Mail: wickhammarketparishclerk@gmail.com /www.wickhammarket.onesuffolk.net
Information from Wickham Market Parish Council – Coronavirus – 1st April 2020
I would like to express again on behalf of the Parish Council thanks to all those workers and volunteers continuing on to keep us with food, post and home essentials.
Please follow the Government's advice - Stay at Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives.
If you require help locally then contact Wickham Market Good Neighbours on
07914 494108.
New Information
R & S Hardware continue to be open in the mornings only along with the Post Office.
Wickham Market Allotment Association members have been issued with advice around safety and hand washing when working on the plots at the two Allotment sites.
The Parish Cemetery remains open but people must take good care around visits i.e. social distancing and hand washing.
A new tree (fastigiate Hornbeam) has been planted in the extended War Memorial garden but the planting of colourful shrubs and perennials cannot be completed at the current time.
Please note following East Suffolk Council announcements :-
Parking charges in all East Suffolk Council-run car parks have been temporarily suspended to help support our local key workers and community volunteers during the COVID-19 outbreak. As part of a move to support anyone who has no alternative other than to drive and park as part of their key worker role, or who is delivering support and essential products to our most vulnerable residents and communities, drivers will not be required to purchase tickets until further notice.
The Gateway to Homechoice Scheme has been temporarily suspended in a response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The scheme, which is a partnership between eight councils in Suffolk and Essex, gives residents the opportunity to bid for council and housing association homes which is advertised on the Gateway to Homechoice website. The decision to suspend the scheme means that available properties will no longer be advertised or allocated, nor will people be able to bid for properties until further notice. Further information is available at : https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/news/gateway-to-homechoice-scheme-suspended/
Garden Waste Collections Suspended
In the interests of crew safety and to ensure that household waste and recycling collections are prioritised, East Suffolk Council and East Suffolk Norse have taken the decision to temporarily suspend the collection of garden waste, including annual renewals and new subscriptions.
These changes will ensure that all vehicles and crews are being used to collect household waste and recycling during the current restrictions and they will continue to be emptied on established collection days.
When garden waste collections recommence, subscriptions will be ‘rolled forward’, which means that a new annual payment will only be required once each subscriber has received their full quota of 12 monthly collections.
Have your say on East Suffolk Council’s Off Street Car Parking Order Public Consultation
This Public Consultation has now been extended until 14th April 2020, as below:--
We welcome your views and now is your chance to comment. Simply review the Order documents and complete our short Off-street Parking Place Order online survey.
You must provide your name and address with your response and complete the survey by 9.00am on Tuesday 14 April 2020.
The Parish Council have permitted all existing permit holders to park free of charge in the Village Hall Car Park.
Weekly Wednesday Market
A message from Penny at Newbourne Farm (Fruit & Veg Stallholder):-
We will be in the same place on Saturday with £5 and £10 vegetable boxes from 9am.
Message from Dave Coote – Fresh Fish Stall
I'm afraid most of my suppliers are closing due to Covid19. I'm afraid I won't be at the market until the foreseeable future. I will keep you posted.
Message from Cheese & Pie Man
I intend to still attend the weekly Wednesday Market and am willing to carry out local deliveries. Contact - 07972 855396.
Village Sign
Removal of the village sign was due to take place last weekend but unfortunately this work has now been postponed due to the Coronavirus.
Message from Suffolk Age UK
If you know of any older people in your village that may need our help our Information and Advice helpline is open as usual. The number is 01473 351234. They are receiving a higher than usual volume of calls but are managing to get back to people on any concerns and are available daily from 9am-1pm based in Suffolk (after 1pm calls are answered by Age UK in London). Feel also feel free to email me if I can help with anything or you have any concerns.
Please also do let me know if you or any of the people in your community would like to stay in touch with myself or one of the team here at Age UK Suffolk via a weekly call during this time or when we are all to be isolated from each other – a call and a chat can make a huge difference. Tracy, Suffolk Age UK.
Existing Information
To support our NHS and following the latest Government advice, please be aware of the following:-
Wickham Market Play Areas – Village Hall Play Area, Zip Wire, MUGA and the Skate Park and Simons Cross Play Area
Following the latest advice from the Government Wickham Market Parish Council have made the decision to close the play area and associated facilities at the Village Hall Playing Field until further notice.
The play equipment should not be used as the virus can remain on hard surfaces and some people can have the virus without symptoms and can pass it to other people.
Please help to stop the Coronavirus spreading within our community by telling your children that whilst they are out exercising not to use the play area, zip wire, MUGA or skate park.
Children and adults can continue to use the Playing Field at the current time but must not visit the area with people other than family members.
The Simons Cross Play Area (responsibility of East Suffolk Council) is also closed until further notice.
Both the Village Hall and Simons Cross playing fields are open for exercise, but please note the Tennis Courts are closed.
Home, but not alone
A new Suffolk-focused community service has been set up to support people who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Called ‘Home But Not Alone’, the service has been launched to help connect people who want to volunteer in their communities with neighbours who are most in need.
The service will mean willing volunteers, charities, town and parish councils, community and religious groups can all log their details and offers of support on an app, while people who need help can phone to request support.
As the number of offers and requests grows, they will be matched so that the right help can be given where it’s most needed. This support could include delivering groceries, medication or essential household goods, in line with Government social distancing guidelines.
Download the free app, called Tribe Volunteer from Apple App Store & Google Play Store
The telephone number for those in genuine need of help is freephone 0800 876 6926 and will be staffed from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.
Joanne Peters
Clerk to Wickham Market Parish Council